1991 Ford Crown Victoria: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 55 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (19% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Dec 1998
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 55 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Dt*: the contact stated while at a stop, the gearshift was shifted into drive and the vehicle accelerated out of control, bounced over a high curb, and was fishtailing. The contact estimated the speed to have reached 70 mph before the ignition was turned off. The vehicle was towed to the service dealer, who determined that the throttle pedal had seized. The manufacturer was notified. Updated 12/5/2006 - *nm”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Oct 2006
“When the vehicle was idling the consumer smelled a heavy scent of oil burning. While driving at 65 mph, the engine began revving at a high rate. Also, the transmission gears would not go into third or fourth gear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the consumer that the bushing was made of plastic. However, the bushing should be made from metal. The manufacturer had been informed. *ak when the cable linkage was disconnected, the destruction of the clutch would occur. (locking up the higher two gears, without the lock up only the first and second gear would work) *scc *jb”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2003
“Alternator plug shorted out and caused a high potentional overload that caught the alternator on fire. The short did not trip any fuse in vehicle. Fire was very intense. The fire quickly spread to adjacent component and melted plug wires, wire harnesses. Fire also damaged hood and right front fender. The fire was quickly spreading when help arrived to extinguish the fire. And yet no fuse ever tripped to engine electrical to stop short!”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2002
Show 7 more owner reports
“Vehicle had not been driven in days, it caught on fire and burned to the ground, cause of fire not determined yet. *ak consumer stated that ford engineer told him that faulty components would cause a fire. *yd”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2001
“While driving around corners or slowing down vehicle would stall, dealer contacted and informed consumer that owners problem was caused by a malfunctioned ignition.*ak *slc”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2001
“Car has started to stall repeatedly at idle or near idle speeds but not consistantly, otherwise runs fine. Airbag light also blinks on and off 9 times stops and re starts blinks consistantly, works?*ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jul 2001
“Was traveling 70 mph and had just went over a bridge heard a thumping noise. Started to slow down. Noticed in rear view mirror that tread had separated from right rear tire and was left on the road. 1991, ford, ltd, p215/70r15 with 53,000 miles. *ak”Owner report · Tires · Feb 2001
“Vehicle was parked in driveway. Consumer noticed smoke inside of vehicle, and he got out of the vehicle. Fire department wasn't notified, and there were no injuries.*ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2000
“Vehicle experienced tread separation on the firestone firehawk tire on the vehicle causing temporary loss of control. *mjs”Owner report · Tires · May 2000
“When making a turn in either direction vehicle intermittently stalls. Dealer has replaced idle sensor, has not remedied the problem.*ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 2000
When filing, owners marked a crash in 8 of these complaints and injuries in 6 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
THREADED INFLATOR COMPONENTS MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY WHICH MAY ALLOW COMPONENTS TO SEPARATE WHEN INFLATOR RECEIVES A SIGNAL TO DEPLOY THE AIR BAG.
Remedy: REPLACE AIR BAG MODULES CONTAINING POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE INFLATORS.
THE REAR BRAKE LINES HAVE INADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE TUBE AND THE VEHICLE UNDERBODY IN THE AREA OF THE LEFT REAR WHEEL OPENING.
Remedy: REPAIR ANY BRAKE LINES THAT HAVE AN INDICATION OF CONTACT OR HAVE THE POTENTIAL FOR CONTACT WITH THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. RELOCATE LINES, IF NECESSARY.
THE PARK ROD ASSEMBLY CONTAINS A PARK CAM WITH INADEQUATE SURFACE HARDNESS, WHICH COULD LEAD TO PARK DISENGAGEMENT OR NO PARK ENGAGEMENT WHEN THE LEVER IS PLACED IN PARK.
Remedy: REPLACE PARK ROD ASSEMBLY ON AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 1996-1999 FORD CROWN VICTORIA POLICE, FLEET, NATURAL GAS, AND 1996-1999 LINCOLN TOWN CAR LIMOUSINE VEHICLES THAT WERE PRODUCED WITH A LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CONTAINING A ONE PIECE BEARING; AND 1990-1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA POLICE, FLEET, AND NGV VEHICLES AND 1990-1996 LINCOLN TOWN CAR LIMOUSINE VEHICLES THAT HAVE BEEN SERVICED WITH EITHER A BALL JOINT CONTAINING THE ONE-PIECE BEARING OR A FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM CONTAINING A BALL JOINT WITH A ONE-PIECE BEARING. THE ONE-PIECE BEARING WITHIN THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CAN WEAKEN SLOWLY DURING USE AND EVENTUALLY CRACK. THIS COULD RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE BALL AND CAP OF THE JOINT, ALLOWING THE CONTROL ARM TO DROP TO THE GROUND.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS (2).
How other years compare
Check your exact Crown Victoria by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1991 Ford Crown Victoria reliable?
NHTSA has 55 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1991 Ford Crown Victoria. The most complained-about area is electrical system (19% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1991 Ford Crown Victoria problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 89,000 miles or less.
Does the 1991 Ford Crown Victoria have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.